Bits and pieces: careers news

By Editorial staff

Published Tuesday, October 5, 2010

This week's round up of career stuff lying around the workbench

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has reported strong industry commitment to its university scholarship programme since it launched in January. Within the first four months, nine electronics businesses had signed up to provide over 30 scholarships and work experience opportunities. The scheme is aimed at undergraduates studying for electronics degrees at leading UK universities. please view the UK Electronics Skills Foundation website for more details

Ada-Europe has launched its annual student programming contest, designed to encourage students to experiment with the Ada programming language. This year's challenge is to build a software simulator of a football match, supporting a number of gaming and football features including speed, tactical skills and player fatigue. Enter at the Ada Way here.

The Graduate Enterprise Internship is a new Canadian initiative providing up to $80 million over four years for internships and mentoring in small and medium businesses for science and engineering graduates and students. Interns in Southern Ontario will gain business experience to complement their scientific skills, and companies will benefit from interns' technical knowledge. Details at FedDev Ontario website.

Cumbria, in the UK, has underlined its commitment to engineering with the opening of the new engineering department at Kendal College, the South Lakes Design Engineering Centre. Some 40 students will benefit from the £250k investment in lathes, milling machines, power saws and a brand new computer suite with design software provided by Kendal water turbine manufacturer Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon. The jewel in the new department’s crown is a 3D printer which allows students to create prototypes of engineering designs. More information is available at the Kendal College website.